Mark your calendar, because it will be two years until the next total solar eclipse when the dazzling display of iridescent light and stunning view will grace the skies of North America. It will be the first total solar eclipse since 1979, and around 200 million people will be able to witness the astounding sight.
The date is set for August 21st, 2017, and it will be the last one until 2045, when the moon will perfectly align itself in between the Earth and the Sun. It has been nearly a decade since the last time Americans have been given the privilege of watching the beautiful display from their own homes, and it’s now coming back.
In two years, from Oregon to South Carolina, onlookers will be treated with the stunning sight and drowned into the blackest of black by the overshadowing effect. However, only a few major cities will be in the “path of totality”, including Nashville, Lincoln, St. Louis and Kansas City among those who will be getting the best view of a rare phenomenon.
The longest period of totality will be reportedly be met in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, who will bathe in the darkness and see the beautiful display on top of the sky for a period of 2 minutes and 40 seconds. The small town of 32,000 is expecting up to 50,000 visitors, and has already started on preparations. They’ve even unveiled the logo for the event, so they clearly cannot wait.
According to Mayor Carter Hendricks, it will be a days-long festival, culminating with the stunning view of the total solar eclipse on August 21st. Science has given the small town a grand opportunity and one of its best chances to attract many visitors along with quite a good share of funds.
It’s set to be a gorgeous display and, even though it’s two years away, it should not be missed, though it is expected that hundreds of publications, news, banners, posters and every other form of announcements will be calling attention to it weeks before it happens.
It will be near impossible to miss, though for those who wish a more extensive display, they might need an advance to book their travels, if their city will not offer the most proper view of this rare occurrence.
In an era of high tech smart phones and highly performing cameras, it’s quite obvious that pictures will be lighting up social media two years from now, but little compares with being engulfed in the darkness and watching the fantastic display in person, of the darkened moon with the sun’s bright edge.
Image source: flickr.com
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